Celebrating Resurgence Annual Report 2014
RIGHT: Hollyhock Hollow Sanctuary. Audubon International is the steward of this 140-acre preserve located in Selkirk, NY. COVER: A bald eagle grabs its prey at The Sanctuary Golf Club in Sanibel, FL (ASCP certified). Photo by superintendent Kyle Sweet, CGCS.
CONTENTS FROM THE DIRECTOR
2
BOARD AND STAFF
2
OUR PROGRAMS 4 WHERE WE WORK
5
OUR 2014 HIGHLIGHTS
9
OUR SPONSORS & DONORS
10
OUR FINANCES 11
The Results of
Environmental Responsibility 2014 was a good year for the bald eagle.
Doug Bechtel, Executive Director
2014 Board of Directors Chuck Bassett, Chairman Marvin Moriarty, Vice Chair Tim Hiers, Secretary Matt Ceplo, Treasurer Jan Bel Jan Henry DeLozier Ted Horton Jay Jaxon Jr. Patricia J. Vittum Ph.D.
2014 Staff Doug Bechtel Executive Director
Katie Hopkins Director of Communications
Joseph Madeira Director of Advancement
By the mid-20th century, bald eagles were driven to the edge of extinction from poaching, habitat loss, and DDT contamination, which caused females to lay brittle eggs. By the 1950s, there were only 417 breeding pairs in the contiguous United States. Bald eagles were officially declared an endangered species in 1967. DDT was banned in the United States in 1972. Today, from our headquarters in New York to Alaska to our nation’s capital, there are estimated to be nearly 10,000 nesting pairs of bald eagles in the United States. The story of the bald eagle’s resurgence demonstrates that a commitment to environmental responsibility, when practiced by many, can produce positive results. The bald eagle example demonstrates how unified and deliberate change in behavior can also be applied to ecological and economic systems. Audubon International espouses sustainable management to bring about such change. Businesses that conserve resources, reduce chemical use, and protect native habitat realize economic benefits. As our economy rebounds, more businesses worldwide are accepting sustainable practices—not only because it is the right thing to do, but also because it results in a more healthy, resilient, and prosperous business model. In addition, more people are seeking destinations that offer ecologically-sensitive themes. Lodging, golf, and communities join our programs because of the credibility that independent third-party certification offers. Positive change is in the air—for our economy, golf, tourism, environment, and for Audubon International. The result of these changes is a stronger, more nimble, proactive, and resilient organization. New expertise, new leadership, and relevant program improvement will lead us into new partnerships and success. We are taking flight at AI. I hope you will join us.
Joanna Nadeau Director of Community Programs
Tara Pepperman Director of Cooperative Sanctuary Programs
Fred Realbuto Chief of Operations
Nancy Richardson Director of Signature and Classic Programs
Delphine Tseng Membership Coordinator
Our Mission To deliver high-quality environmental education and facilitate the sustainable management of land, water, wildlife, and other natural resources in all places people live, work, and play.
Superintendent Kyle Sweet, CGCS, from The Sanctuary Golf Club in Sanibel, FL teaches groups about topics like wildlife, invasive species, and wildflowers. Kyle plants over an acre of wildflowers annually. Photo by Brian Beckner
Our Programs Audubon International, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is an environmental education organization that works to reduce the impact development has on nature. Through a growing network of members across various entities (including recreation, tourism and hospitality) and directly working with communities, municipalities, and neighborhood associations, our various programs directly affect millions of acres of land, protect thousands of habitats for flora and fauna species, and measurably reduce the influx of pollutants into soils, water, air, and ecosystems. As part of our endeavor to make an impact on the planet, we envision thousands of properties and communities around the world becoming more environmentally sustainable through good stewardship of the natural environment. We educate community leaders and stakeholders and help them embrace environmental sustainability as a central element of planning and practice.
The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program (ACSP) is an education and certification program that helps organizations and businesses protect our environment while enhancing their bottom line. The ACSP for Golf is a widely recognized and highlyregarded education and certification program that helps protect our environment and preserve the natural heritage of the game of golf. The Signature Program provides environmental planning assistance to new developments. The program helps landowners design for the environment so that both economic and environmental objectives are achieved. The Classic Program helps owners and managers of properties with existing land uses who have interest in joining a program of similar rigor to the Signature Program. These properties include those being redeveloped or going through restoration. The Green Lodging Program provides the assurance that lodging facilities have met environmental best practice standards. The Green Neighborhoods Program engages community groups in projects that protect and enhance the land, water, wildlife, and natural resources around them. The Sustainable Communities Program helps communities take steps to ensure that they are healthy and vibrant places in which to live, work, and play both today and tomorrow.
Where We Work
Audubon International has 2,300 member organizations located in all 50 states in the US and in 34 countries around the world.
The Links at Fancourt, a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in George, South Africa, is ranked one of the top courses outside the US by Golf Digest.
Pictured here: The view from Marriott’s Kauai Lagoons–Kalanipu’u, a Certified Green Lodging Property. In June 2014, all four Marriott Vacation Club properties in Hawaii achieved certification though Audubon International’s Green Lodging Program.
“Our members are energized when they realize that their efforts make an impact on their local environment. No matter the organization—hotel, golf course, business, or municipality—everyone has an opportunity to embrace the role of ambassador for a healthier planet.” Katie Hopkins, Director of Communications at Audubon International
Our 2014 Highlights •
•
Enrolled several high profile courses including Bluejack National, the first course designed by Tiger Woods, into the Classic Program
New Board Members in 2014
Secured 100% commitment/enrollment in the ACSP from the following golf management companies: Billy Casper Golf, ClubCorp, Marriott Golf, Trump Golf, and ValleyCrest
• Matt Ceplo
2014 highlights include the addition of four new individuals to the AI Board. • Marvin Moriarty • Ted Horton • Henry DeLozier
•
Increased Green Lodging membership by 5% with a renewed commitment from Marriott Vacation Club and a new partnership with Bookdifferent.com
•
Celebrated 12 years of working with students from Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School on our stream monitoring education program
•
Tripled the number of corporate sponsors (from 6 to 18), adding new entities like the Propane Education and Research Council, R&R Products, M&T Bank, Orvis, Price Chopper, and Koenders Water Solutions
•
Grew the Sustainable Communities program by 50% (from 10 to 15) and enabled recognition from key entities such as American Planning Association’s Sustainable Communities Division and APA leadership as well as other certification programs
•
Developed strategic community partnerships with UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in Ontario (Canada), Florida GBC’s Green Local Government Certification Program, AASHE, LEED ND, NYS Climate Smart Communities Program, Campus Compact
RIGHT: AI staff member Joanna Nadeau stands with representatives of the Town of Hilton Head in South Carolina as they unveil their new bike path maps. The Town of Hilton Head is working toward certification in the Sustainable Communities Program. LEFT: High school students participate in our stream monitoring program in Bethlehem, NY.
We welcome these new additions to the talented group of directors who represent and lead the organization.
Our Sponsors & Donors Audubon International solicits and accepts gifts from organizations and individuals for purposes that will help the organization further and fulfill its mission. Audubon International is designated by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) public charitable organization. Gifts to the organization are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by US tax law.
Audubon International gratefully acknowledges the following organizations for support provided in 2013/2014:
The United States Golf Association Toro Company Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Propane Education and Research Council R&R Products, Inc. BioFlora M&T Bank Lafarge Koenders Water Solutions Inc. Ostara Sediment Removal Solutions Advantage Systems LLC Growing Solutions Inc. Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation Orvis Company Inc. Blue Planet Environmental Inc. Course Vision Aquatrols White Pines National Golf Club Center for Responsible Travel GIE Media The AHC Group r.k. Miles The Sanctuary Golf Club The Retreat Golf Club Sun City Hilton Head Golf Course
Audubon International also would like to thank the following individuals for their donations in 2013/2014: Kimberly Gregory Jay Jaxon Jr. Doug Bechtel Carl Marchand Channing Smith Erik Pinnsonault Carol Pascoe Gina Jarrett Randy Weckerly Special thanks to Kyle Sweet for providing photos for this annual report
Our Finances Income $1,058,549
Expenses $963,871 Administration/Bldg
6% 7%
Program Delivery Fundraising
5%
Memberships
10%
20%
4%
Interest
5%
12%
Rental Income
Special Projects
Contributions, Grants, & Gifts 58%
54%
19%
Other
Other
Charts represent the Audubon International fiscal year of July 1, 2013–June 30, 2014.
Staff and board members gather outside Audubon International headquarters in Troy, NY following the June 2014 Board Meeting.
Left to right: Jan Bel Jan, Marvin Moriarty, Ted Horton, Katie Hopkins, Tim Hiers, Tara Pepperman, Jay Jaxon Jr. Fred Realbuto, Pat Vittum, Matt Ceplo, Joanna Nadeau, Doug Bechtel, Joe Madeira, Chuck Bassett
“ACSP membership is the cornerstone of excellence— supporting cutting-edge environmental stewardship and sound economic strategy.” Anthony Williams, Director of Grounds Stone Mountain Golf Club by Marriott
LEFT: Stone Mountain Golf Club by Marriott in Georgia has been a member since 1998 and achieved certification in 2006.
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